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15 <br /> <br /> <br />September 20, 2018 <br />Point-in-Time count conducted each January <br />• Long-standing measure <br />• Great way to get involved/learn more about homelessness <br />• Perfect? No, but <br />• Does give us info <br />• HUD uses extensively <br /> <br />Point-in-Time count numbers are up compared with last year and over time <br />Nationwide & statewide, numbers are down; in Orange County, numbers are up <br /> USA <br />• 13% overall decrease <br />• 47% decrease in veteran homelessness <br />• NC <br />• 24% overall decrease <br />• 31% decrease in veteran homelessness <br />Orange County <br />• 13% overall increase <br />• 200% increase in veteran homelessness <br /> <br />People experiencing homelessness are disproportionally people of color <br /> <br />Great progress towards ending chronic homelessness in Orange County (graph) <br /> <br />Let’s take a peek at our systems map (map) <br /> <br />Corey Root said it is possible to reverse the direction of homelessness. <br />Commissioner Marcoplos referred to transitional housing, noting people are in good <br />shape once they get into housing. He asked if there is any data that compares giving a house <br />to someone versus the cost to the community to service homelessness. <br />Corey Root said there are numbers from other communities, and homelessness costs <br />more than purchasing housing. She said medical services, hospital stays, transportation, <br />support services, etc. are expensive, and it is more cost effective to house individuals and <br />provide services. <br />Commissioner Marcoplos asked if staff is aiming towards providing housing with <br />services. <br />Corey Root said yes, and this is part of what it would mean to end homelessness. She <br />said there are 70 people on the list waiting for housing, and deleting this list will end <br />homelessness. <br />Commissioner Marcoplos said he would like to know what homelessness costs Orange <br />County apart from other services. <br />Commissioner Rich said there are folks that will eat at shelters, but do not want to <br />receive housing, and would rather stay outside, and asked if there are numbers for this <br />population in Orange County. <br />Corey Root said traditionally this was viewed as a population that is choosing to be <br />homeless, but this is being considered differently now. She said HUD is not viewing this <br />population as choosing not to go to a certain program, but rather is asking questions about the <br />set up of the program. She said data is showing that if one receives housing, with no barriers <br />attached, and high quality case management, one will often choose this option. She said street